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Celtic will consider offers for right-back Josip Juranovic in the January transfer window, according to Stephen McGowan.

The Lowdown: World Cup call-up

The Croatian arrived in Glasgow last year and has gone on to make 50 appearances under Ange Postecoglou.

The 27-year-old caught the eye of Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United over the summer but he remained at Parkhead.

He is currently in Qatar with his nation ahead of the World Cup, where he looks set to be first-choice right-back ahead of Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanisic.

The Latest: Celtic braced for Juranovic offers

Reliable reporter McGowan shared an update for The Mail+ on Tuesday regarding Juranovic.

He reported that, following unsuccessful negotiations over a new contract, Celtic are braced for offers for the full-back and will consider bids in the New Year.

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The Verdict: Big-money exit?

Having been dubbed a ‘beautiful footballer’ by sports journalist Josh Bunting, Juranovic has impressed in the Premiership and is still under contract until 2026.

Therefore, Peter Lawwell and the Hoops are still in a strong position and won’t need to accept the first offer that they receive for his services.

Celtic may well be hoping that more than one club would make a move for the defender in January, which could result in a bidding war and possible big-money exit yielding a profit after he joined the Hoops for around £2.5m in August 2021.

Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly be set to revive their interest in Everton starlet, Anthony Gordon, having been heavily linked with a move for the Englishman in the summer.

What’s the word?

Recent reports have claimed that the north Londoners are potentially contemplating a move for the 21-year-old in the January transfer window, with Frank Lampard’s side said to value their prize asset at around £60m.

This follows speculation in the summer that revealed the Lilywhites were hoping to complete a double swoop for the one-time Preston North End loanee – who was also linked to Chelsea in the recent window – and ex-teammate Richarlison.

Amid the fresh reports of Spurs’ interest, journalist Paul Brown – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has now provided his thoughts on the move, suggesting that Antonio Conte and co could well find their next Dejan Kulusesvki by bringing the Toffees’ sensation to the capital.

The respected source stated: “He’s someone who could literally come in when Kulusevski is not around or needs a break. I think he’s a very similar kind of player.

“High energy, when he’s on it, full of drive, gets you up the pitch, a bit of a spark plug for his team and he does produce. He has a decent end product when he’s in form.”

Paratici’s next Kulusevski

Tottenham’s sporting director Fabio Paratici no doubt worked wonders to secure the signing of the aforementioned Kulusevski back in January earlier this year, bringing in the Sweden international on an 18-month loan deal from Serie A giants Juventus.

That move almost instantly paid off as the 22-year-old helped to steer his new side into the top four, adding a further string to the club’s attacking bow alongside Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, after scoring five goals and laying on eight assists in just 18 league games in the second half of last term.

That hot streak has continued this term for the 27-cap sensation – despite a spell out with a thigh injury – with the former Atalanta prospect having recorded six goal contributions in just nine top-flight games.

As Brown alluded to, Paratici could look to replicate that astute signing with the addition of Gordon, with the “fearless” asset – as described by pundit Alan Shearer – having also sparkled so far this term, netting three times in 14 Premier League outings, after scoring four goals in what was a breakthrough campaign last time out.

While not prolific, the Liverpool-born menace offers that real dynamic threat with his ability to run in behind in the final third – much like Kulusevski – having recorded 11 total chance-creating carries so far this term, while his Spurs counterpart is just ahead having recorded 18 for the same metric.

Although the latter man may well be one step ahead at present, that comparison is a marker that Gordon is heading in the right direction towards becoming an elite talent, with his encouraging work ethic – shown by the fact that he ranks in the top 5% for tackles made among those in his position in Europe – also likely to appeal to Conte.

With Tottenham having struck gold by bringing Kulusevski to the club in the winter window earlier this year, Paratici could again make another potentially game-changing addition in the form of the Goodison Park hero when the market re-opens in the New Year.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring David Raya to north London.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by 90min, who claim that Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici are considering a number of goalkeepers in their bid to replace long-term number one Hugo Lloris – the soon-to-be 36-year-old whose current deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to expire in the summer of 2024.

The report goes on to suggest that the Brentford shot-stopper is one of the players on the 53-year-old’s shortlist of potential replacements for the Frenchman, and with the 27-year-old also out of contract in the summer of 2024, a move for the Spain international may not be overly difficult to pull off.

Lloris’ dream heir

Considering just how impressive Raya has been for Brentford in recent seasons, coupled with the slowly declining displays of Lloris over the last year or so, it is not difficult to see why Conte and Paratici would be considering a move for the Spaniard.

Indeed, over his 24 Premier League appearances in his debut top-flight campaign with the Bees, the £13m-rated talent was in exceptional form, keeping eight clean sheets and making an average of 3.3 saves – at a success rate of 74% – per game, with these returns seeing the shot-stopper average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.01.

It has been a similar story over his 15 league outings so far this season, with the £25k-per-week shot-stopper having already kept four clean sheets and made an average of 4.3 saves – at a success rate of 72% – per game, with these metrics seeing the 27-year-old average an even more impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.03.

In comparison, over Lloris’ 15 Premier League appearances this term, the £100k-per-week “legend” has kept four clean sheets and made an average of 3.0 saves – at a success rate of 68% – per game, with these returns seeing the 35-year-old average a SofaScore match rating of 6.88.

Furthermore, aside from his “superb saves” – in the words of The Athletic’s Jay Harris – Raya also has “immaculate distribution” and is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, with FBref ranking the Spaniard in the top 5% of ‘keepers in Europe’s big five leagues for touches per 90, as well as the top 22% for launched passes and the top 18% for average length of his goal kicks.

As such, with Raya being nearly eight years Lloris’ junior, as well as the Brentford star returning more impressive numbers in the top flight so far this season, it is not difficult to understand why Tottenham are keen on the 27-year-old, as the Spaniard would indeed appear to be something of a dream heir to the Frenchman between the Spurs sticks.

Journalist and Sunderland supporter Josh Bunting was left hailing the performance of Abdoullah Ba in their 1-0 win against Al-Shabab this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Good run-out

This afternoon’s friendly enabled Tony Mowbray to look closer at his squad as they prepare for the Championship season to return next weekend.

Amad Diallo gave the Stadium of Light outfit the lead midway through the first half with a cool finish, while Mowbray made nine changes for the second, and the team managed to see the game out.

The Latest: Ba impressive

Taking to Twitter, Bunting was extremely complimentary of Diallo after his finish, but also heaped praise on Ba, claiming that the central midfielder showed ‘a lot of class’:

“Abdoullah Ba technically has so much ability, just needs to toughen up a little in terms of his physical attributes. Just need to find the right balance with him, how he picks his passes is something I love about him. Showed a lot of class this afternoon, that game was a good fit.”

The Verdict: Needs more starts

Ba has received plenty of plaudits when he has played this term, but the Frenchman has simply not been on the pitch often enough.

He has only made eight appearances in the Championship so far, and has started just one match in the division, per Transfermarkt. It is easy to forget that he is only 19 years of age, as he seems to show so much maturity whenever he is on the pitch.

Nonetheless, given that Ba is a summer arrival, Black Cats supporters will no doubt want to see more of him after the World Cup break, and after this latest impressive outing, he is certainly giving Mowbray something to think about.

Aston Villa have not had the best start to their Premier League campaign but Unai Emery will be hoping that the World Cup break has given him time to settle in and players to recover ahead of the second half of the season, with some promising news emerging from Dubai.

What’s the latest?

According to Birmingham Live, Diego Carlos has travelled with the Aston Villa squad to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp ahead of their return to action in the Premier League later this month.

As per the report, Carlos is looking like he will be able to return to action in the new year as he has stepped up his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon injury that has left the player sidelined since the beginning of the season after undergoing surgery.

Emery will be thrilled

There is no doubt that Emery will be thrilled that Carlos is starting to show signs that he could be ready to return in the very near future as the new manager sets out to continue his transformation of Villa when they return to Premier League football after Christmas.

The Villans managed to climb back up to 12th in the league table with Emery taking two consecutive victories against Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion away from his first two league games in charge at the club, showing promising signs to the Villa Park faithful that a change in fate could be sealed over the second half of the season.

Indeed, Carlos’ return from injury will be another welcome boost and will feel like a new signing for Aston Villa as the defender has only made two appearances so far after securing a four-year deal in the summer.

Over his two Premier League appearances, the talented Brazilian tallied up an 85% pass completion rate in his own half and won 50% of his aerial duels, as well as averaging 70 touches, one clearance and 50 accurate passes per game, proving that he is a progressive defender who could be beneficial in linking build-up play with the Villa midfield.

With that being said, Villa supporters have a lot to look forward to when the team get stuck back into their top flight campaign, Carlos’ return combined with a new leader in Emery will surely be the huge boost the club needs to climb the table over the remainder of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan De Vrij.

The Lowdown: Tottenham target defender

In light of Tottenham’s very poor defensive record in the Premier League, with 21 goals conceded, the most of any side in the top eight and more than relegation-threatened West Ham, there have been numerous reports linking them to centre-backs in January.

Inter Live have previously indicated that Antonio Conte was plotting a £43m bid for Alessandro Bastoni, while his Inter teammate De Vrij has also been linked for some time, with his contract due to expire with the Serie A side at the end of the season.

The Latest: De Vrij update

While stating that Conte is a huge admirer of the 6 foot 2 titan, Football Insider now report that Tottenham are in pole position for his signature, with a January deal a possibility.

Atletico Madrid are also in the mix, but Conte is “close” with the player from their time at Inter and has “already spoken” to him about a winter move.

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In the past, a deal for the Dutchman would have set a potential suitor back £40m, but he could be available at a “knockdown price”, given his aforementioned contract situation.

The Verdict: Get it done

The 30-year-old, labelled a “world beater” by Noel Whelan when linked to Spurs last year, would be a fantastic signing who the Spurs boss knows he can trust, having won the league at Inter during their spell there.

It is no secret that the Lilywhites are struggling defensively this season, failing to keep a clean sheet since a 2-0 victory against Everton in mid October, so a new option at the back is definitely required.

Former Lazio defender Mauricio has hailed the enforcer as a ‘monster’, while also describing him as having ‘excellent technique’, which could account for his 89.9% pass completion average per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 90th percentile compared to his positional peers.

This season, the £117k-per-week earner has featured 16 times in all competitions for Inter, who have operated using a back three in every match, meaning he would also take no time at all to adjust to Conte’s chosen style.

Leeds United enjoyed a vast transfer overhaul last summer, with Jesse Marsch finally allowed to put his stamp on Marcelo Bielsa’s squad that he inherited.

The American did so in the form of seven new permanent deals, amounting to an outlay of approximately £90m.

The main area that he targeted for improvement was central midfield, looking to share the workload of the departing Kalvin Phillips by adding Tyler Adams and Marc Roca.

Whilst that pair have excelled at Elland Road, the Whites still seem to be lacking some added attacking impetus from midfield.

Instead of once again looking to solve that by investing in the transfer window, though, they could look to their youngsters, just as the American has done on numerous occasions already.

Joe Gelhardt, Crysencio Summerville and Sam Greenwood have all benefitted from Marsch’s regime, and Lewis Bate could be the latest to break through once his loan spell at Oxford United ends.

The 20-year-old is currently enjoying his first full campaign of senior football, having signed from Chelsea in a £1.5m deal last year. To command such a fee at his tender age is indicative of his pedigree.

In just 12 appearances in League One, the on-loan sensation already boasts three assists from central midfield.

It is clear that Bate can become something of a maestro, with an ability to spray passes across the pitch in a manner which belies his fledgling years. This is exemplified in his 82% pass accuracy, which he combines with 1.2 key passes per game.

Bielsa supported this with a statement from 2021, saying of Bate: “He’s a player that is constantly managing the ball and he doesn’t lose it very often. And he’s got a good sense of a pass, he can thread it through the needle.”

To earn a 6.96 average Sofascore rating for his first year in senior football is indicative of the 20-year-old’s maturity and ability, and it could even draw comparisons with England’s World Cup hero Jude Bellingham.

The former Birmingham City star has exploded of late and had impressed at Qatar before the Three Lions’ quarter-final defeat to France.

He was averaging a 7.34 rating, averaging 1.2 key passes per game and a 90% pass accuracy. This was also paired with 3.2 tackles per game (via Sofascore), with the 19-year-old having developed into the perfect all-round midfielder.

Bate still has some improving to do on that front, but his average of one successful tackle per game this season is still admirable.

However, should he keep improving and taking to senior football with such ease, he could soon become Leeds’ very own version of Bellingham.

Manchester United are still thought to be interested in signing Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, with his future set to be decided next week.

The Lowdown: Gakpo ‘agreement’

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the Red Devils have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with Cody Gakpo. A further update then claimed that the club are increasingly confident of signing the PSV forward in January instead of waiting until next summer, and are in regular contact with the 23-year-old’s camp.

Gakpo doesn’t appear to be the only Netherlands attacker on the radar at Old Trafford, though, with news now emerging on Depay’s future.

The Latest: Transfer update

Sports Witness relayed an update from Spanish outlet Sport regarding Depay on Thursday. They claimed that Depay’s future will be known next week, with the 28-year-old having offers on the table.

The report also adds that United, Tottenham, Juventus and Roma are all interested in a deal.

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The Verdict: Why not…

Gakpo has shone in recent months for club and country, however, he has been plying his trade as a left winger, whereas Depay, who played alongside Gakpo at the World Cup in Qatar, tends to occupy more of a central role.

A replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo appears needed in the New Year, so a swoop for former man Depay, lauded as a ‘different beast‘ now by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst, could be a smart idea considering he has scored plenty of goals for Lyon and Barcelona since leaving United.

He could be available on the cheap over the coming weeks and contact has already reportedly been made, so it may prove to be Dutch delight for United in 2023 under Erik ten Hag with Gakpo and Depay in attack.

Newcastle United could turn their attention towards a move for Belgian hotshot Romelu Lukaku in 2023, according to reports from Italy.

What’s the word?

As per Calciomercatoweb, Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth is keen on signing the 29-year-old next summer should the Tyneside club qualify for the Champions League, with the 6 foot 3 ace currently on loan at Serie A side Inter Milan from Chelsea.

The report suggests that, while the Nerazzurri could look to keep the striker on loan for a further year, the west Londoners’ preference to sell may give Newcastle the advantage, with Ashworth ready to ‘forcefully enter’ for the centre-forward’s signature.

The 104-cap menace made his return to San Siro on a temporary basis during the summer, having only rejoined Chelsea a year earlier for a club-record fee of around £97.5m.

Could be a ‘monster’ at St James’ Park

There is no getting away from what has been a miserable last 18 months or so for Lukaku – both for club and country – with the former Everton man having scored only twice in all competitions this term following a number of fitness and injury issues.

Prior to that, the £180k-per-week marksman had netted just eight goals in the Premier League following his return to Stamford Bridge, with that limp output ensuring that the Blues made the bold decision to loan him out during the summer.

Equally, at international level the typically prolific marksman came up short at the World Cup in Qatar, notably missing four big chances off the bench in the final group stage clash against Croatia as the Red Devils crashed out at the first hurdle.

Alas, while the last year or so has been notably disappointing for the Antwerp native, Lukaku remains a hugely impressive attacking asset regardless, boasting a remarkable club career tally of 268 goals at senior level.

The lethal “monster” – as described by journalist Thierry Nyann – also has 68 goals to his name for his national team, having regularly delivered the goods when it matters for almost a decade.

Despite his recent difficulties at Chelsea, the ruthless Lukaku has previously been a real force in English football, having scored 121 goals in 278 Premier League games in total.

The former Toffees ace particularly caught the eye as a result of his form at Goodison Park – scoring 87 goals in 166 games – while even his brief stint at Manchester United proved somewhat fruitful, with 42 goals to his name in 96 appearances.

The one-time West Bromwich Albion star had been especially prolific during his previous stint at Inter, with his total tally for the Nerazzurri now standing at 66 goals and 17 assists in just 100 games.

A striker who can be “unplayable” when in full flow – as lauded by Arsenal legend Sol Campbell – Lukaku would provide a real focal point to Eddie Howe’s attack if he were to arrive at St James’ Park, while also offering an almost guaranteed supply of goals such is his remarkable career record.

With the Belgian seemingly in need of a boost in confidence, joining such an ambitious and high-flying outfit as Newcastle could well prove to be the perfect solution.

Crystal Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam has said that striker Odsonne Edouard has been carrying a ‘slight knock’ after he was named as a substitute against AFC Bournemouth. 

The Lowdown: Place on the bench

The 24-year-old was an unused substitute in a 3-0 defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day. He’s started nine Premier League games so far this season, so many will have been expecting him to come in for the trip to the south coast.

However, Vieira once again named him on the bench, with the Eagles running out 2-0 winners thanks to first-half goals from Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze and Edouard coming on for the final 15 minutes.

The Latest: Woosnam’s post

Woosnam took to Twitter prior to kick-off at the Vitality Stadium to share some news he’s heard on Edouard.

He said that the player ‘has been carrying a slight knock’ which appears to explain his exclusion from the starting XI.

“Believe Odsonne Edouard has been carrying a slight knock which may explain at least in part why he isn’t starting.”

The Verdict: Makes sense

It seemed strange that Edouard didn’t feature at Selhurst Park against Fulham, so he may have been struggling prior to domestic football returning.

Therefore, following Woosnam’s claim, it makes sense for Vieira to be cautious when it comes to his fellow countryman, not wanting to make things worse.

The knock hasn’t kept him out of the matchday squad, so hopefully, he’ll be able to make himself available from the off in Palace’s first fixture of 2023 against Tottenham, looking to repeat his double from last season.